Exercise Addiction

Symptoms of exercise addiction

• Continuing to exercise despite physical injury or psychological issues
• Spending less time participating in other activities
• Thoughts are dominated by exercise and include thinking about and planning exercise
• Deviating from your intended exercise routine and increasing the intensity
• The need to exercise more and at a higher rate of intensity to achieve the same 'high'
• Feeling irritable if unable to exercise for a period of time

Causes of exercise addiction

Exercise releases endorphins and dopamine these are both brain chemicals that play an important part in regulating mood. An exercise addict enjoys the feelings of reward and joy when exercising.  These feelings stop when the exercise stops. An addict will need to exercise more to trigger the release of these chemicals and the feelings they provide.

An exercise addiction often starts with the desire to be physically fit or an eating disorder such as anorexia.  This may lead to an unhealthy obsession with exercise or a body dysmorphic disorder.

Treatments for exercise addiction

Treatment is available for exercise addiction that will help reduce the over reliance on the need to exercise. Moving to different types of exercise, changing current workout routines and avoiding too many trips to the gym are all beneficial for people with an exercise addiction. Patients also need to acknowledge they have an unhealthy relationship with exercise and be willing to address the issue.

Some patients will have a dual diagnosis of exercise addiction and an eating disorder, both conditions will need to be addressed.

Medication for exercise addiction

There are no prescription drugs available to treat exercise addiction. If you are experiencing other symptoms as a result of the addiction such as anxiety or depression, then your consultant may prescribe medication.

Therapy approach for exercise addiction

A psychologist can work with you on a 1:1 basis to change these habits. They are likely to use talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  CBT focuses on  challenging and changing unhelpful behaviour and improves emotional regulation as well as developing personal coping strategies. Some patients benefit from a group environment where they can share their experiences and learn from others. The consultant may recommend attending our day patient programme. You can attend for a single day per week or up to three full days per week, and participate in the therapeutic programme that runs throughout the day. For those patients that require a more intensive approach to treatment the consultant may recommend admission to the Clinic. Day-patient and in-patient treatment are likely to be recommended if there are additional mental health conditions acting concurrently with the exercise addiction.

Outcomes

As part of your treatment you will learn and develop coping strategies to prevent you from participating in addictive behaviour.